Maybe you’ve never seen the excellent television series Lost, or maybe you’ve only recently become hooked. Either way, this article was written with the intention of giving you a brief rundown of all the pivotal characters. Unless otherwise mentioned, each character was a survivor of the crash of Oceanic Flight 815.

Jack - A doctor, Jack had traveled to Australia to pick up the body of his father to take him back to America for burial. Since he’s the doctor among the survivors, Jack has become the de facto leader of the group. Hardheaded, but always tries to do what he thinks is right. Has an attraction to Kate.

John Locke - Traveled to Australia to go on a walking tour of the Outback. He was turned away because he was in a wheelchair. It is still unknown how he came to be in the wheelchair, as flashbacks show him to be walking without trouble. After crashing on the island, Locke found that he could once again walk. Skilled at hunting and tracking, Locke has natural leadership talents. This has caused he and Jack to clash on several occasions.

Sawyer - A con man, Sawyer was in Australia to kill the man responsible for the death of his parents. Hates himself and wants everyone else to hate him. Very charismatic. Is constantly getting shot, tortured, or knocked over the head. Has an attraction to Kate.

Kate - Was being brought back to the United States by a federal marshal when the plane crashed. She was wanted for the murder of her father, an abusive drunk who beat her mother. Has had other run-ins with the law, but much of this is still unexplained. Is torn between her feelings for both Jack and Sawyer. Strong survival instincts.

Hugo Hurley - Likeable overweight fellow who won the lottery and is worth millions of dollars. Laid back attitude and often serves as the comic relief. Spent time in a mental institution. Has an imaginary friend named Dave. Was working on a relationship with Libby before her death.

Charlie - The creative force behind the once-famous band known as DriveShaft. Heroin addict. Traveled to Australia to see his brother, the former lead singer of the band. Attracted to Claire. Hates Locke and would like nothing more than to see him look like a fool. Has demonstrated that he is more than capable of violence.

Claire - Was pregnant when the plane crashed. Has since given birth to a baby boy named Aaron. Native of Australia. She was flying to America to put her baby up for adoption. She and her baby were captured by the Others, but she was able to escape.

Sayid - Former member of the Iraqi Republican Guard. Skilled torturer and interrogator. Was involved with Shannon before her death.

Sun - Wife of Jin. Korean. Was planning on leaving her husband before the plane crash. Was recently revealed to be pregnant, even though her husband was supposed to be sterile. Often tends to her garden and seems very gentle, but recently shot and killed one of the Others. Father was a crime boss.

Jin - Husband of Sun. Korean from a very poor fisherman’s family. Fell in love with Sun and became an enforcer for her father. This job made him very cold and distant. On the island, he puts his skills as a fisherman to good use. Has reconciled with his wife.

Michael - Had traveled to Australia to take his son, Walt, back home after the death of Walt’s mother. An artist who was also involved in construction. Built a boat to try and escape the island, but it was destroyed by the Others. After his son was abducted, Michael seemed to go a little crazy. He eventually killed Ana Lucia and Libby in a desperate bid to get his son back. Walt was returned and the two were given a boat and directions to the nearest continent. They have not been seen since.

Walt - Young kid. The son of Michael. Was going to live with Michael after the death of his mother. Possesses strange powers to manipulate reality. Captured by the Others. At the end of season two, he is returned to his father and the pair is allowed to leave the island.

Shannon - Spoiled brat from a rich family. When her father died, she was forced to fend for herself. Was in love with her step-brother, Boone. Was involved with Sayid shortly before her death. Fatally shot by Ana Lucia.

Rose - Wife of Bernard. Dying of cancer, but the cancer went into remission on the island. Very straightforward.

Bernard - Husband of Rose. Had taken her to Australia to a faith healer. Does not want to leave the island, for fear that his wife’s cancer will return.

Henry Gale - Seems to be the leader of the Others, although he claims he answers to someone else. Highly intelligent and well-read. Played Jack and Locke against one another. Has a tumor on his spine and has had Jack captured so that he can remove it. Claims to be one of “the good guys.”

Ana Lucia - Former L.A. cop. She quit the force after killing a man who had shot her (she was pregnant at the time and lost the baby). Tough and no nonsense. Attracted to Jack and slept with Sawyer. Accidentally killed Shannon after mistaking her for one of the Others. Shot and killed by Michael while she was guarding Henry Gale.

Libby - Claimed to be a psychiatrist, but spent time in the same institution as Hurley. A widower, she gave her husband’s yacht to Desmond during a chance encounter. Was developing a romance with Hurley. Accidentally shot and killed by Michael when he assisted Henry Gale in escaping.

Mr. Eko - A Nigerian warlord turned holy man. Eko clashed with Locke on several occasions. Physically, the most imposing of the survivors. Stood up to a strange black smoke which has appeared a few times. When the smoke took the form of his dead brother and demanded that Eko repent for his sins, Eko refused. The smoke then lifted him up and killed him.

Boone - Step-brother of Shannon. Had traveled to Australia to bring her back home. Boone died in season one from injuries sustained when he fell off the side of a cliff. Was in love with Shannon.

Juliette - A member of the Others, Juliette has been assigned to gather information from Jack. Claims to have once been a fertility doctor. Wants Henry Gale dead.

Desmond - A former military man and convict, Desmond found the island while on a boat race around the world. He became involved with the Dharma Initiative and was living underground until discovered by the crash survivors. He has since joined up with their group. Unbeknownst to him, his former fiancee is still combing the world in an effort to find him.

Danielle - A French scientist who has been stranded on the island for decades. Her young daughter was captured and raised by the Others. Has went a bit mad living alone for so many years. Master of tracking, hunting, and survival. Still wants to rescue her daughter.

Talk about Lost and many other television shows at Cinema Threads

Every year, Americans spend many months saving money for the holidays. From Christmas trees to holiday parties, and the countless number of gifts, it is easy to lose track of spending and unknowingly subject yourself to years’ worth of overwhelming credit card bills. This year, before you head out to the malls consider these 5 tips for sensible holiday shoppers:

1. Use Cash Whenever Possible – Carrying cash allows you to track exactly how much money you have, and how much you’ve spent. Using cash also serves as a precautionary measure for potential overspending., since you can’t spend more than you have in your purse or wallet. While using credit can be useful, and is necessary in certain situations, the less you use it the better chance you have for staying out of debt.

2. Ask Questions - Companies are all trying to win your business and will run a wide variety of advertising campaigns and promotions to try and grab your attention. If you are uncertain as to the price of an item or a sale item in a flyer, be sure to ask a store employee. Before you pay a service fee for your gift card or disregard that mail-in rebate, find out all the facts about the cost of your purchase.

3. Build a Holiday Budget – Household budgets help us organize our financial lives on a weekly basis, and the same process can help guide us through holiday spending just as easily. Visit www.consumercredit.com to download a free Holiday Budget Worksheet, and plan out exactly what you can afford to spend on gifts, decorations and holiday parties.

4. Read the Newspaper and Circulars – Many popular gifts go on sale to during the holiday season. If you are on a holiday budget, it’s a good idea to look through the newspaper each week to begin comparison-shopping. Although the item you want may be on sale at one store, its competitor might just be charging $5 dollars less and that is $5 you can use to buy Christmas cards instead.

5. Utilize Free Services – The holiday season is intended to be a time for giving, and many stores and shopping malls will offer you free gifts and services in exchange for your patronage. From free gift wrapping to $10 gift cards, these store perks can save you money in the long run, so take advantage as often as you can.

Tom Palange

Education Programs Specialist

ABOUT ACCC: American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to regain control of their lives through education, counseling and debt management. ACCC provides individuals with practical solutions for solving financial problems and recognizes that consumers’ financial difficulties are often not the result of poor spending habits, but more frequently from extenuating circumstances beyond their control. As one of the nation’s leading providers of financial education and credit counseling services, ACCC works with consumers to help them with the best plan of action to reduce their debt and regain financial stability. For more information or to access free financial education resources log on to http://www.consumercredit.com

Charm Quilts usually feature a single shape, such as a square, hexagon or diamond, with no two patches cut from the same fabric. Creating these enchanting quilts was originally popular from 1860 - 1900.

Charm Quilts are the type of quilt you only do once. It can be an enormous undertaking to accumulate the sheer number of fabric bits, each different, to complete this quilt.

The collecting is probably a large part of the appeal of a Charm Quilt, similar to that of “Charm Strings”. In the late 1800’s, the gift of a button was considered lucky and young girls collected and traded buttons. Strung upon a string, every one of the buttons was different, each a special memento.

Collecting is a pastime many enjoy, with the challenge being to acquire as many different examples of an item as possible.

Scraps of fabrics gathered and traded with friends and relatives, sewn into a quilt, would have been an appealing hobby for young women. It would also be a reminder of pleasant times and the loved ones.

These quilts were at times called Beggar Quilts, referring to the method of attaining the fabrics. The name Charm Quilt is more common, and may have originated with the belief that pieces that came from so many hands possessed good fortune. The finished quilt acquired a magical quality - to be charmed or to bring good luck.

Renewed interest in this type of quilt began with the creation of Millennium Quilts in recent times - a version of a Charm Quilt with 2000 different fabric squares.

Just think how much fun it would be to collect, trade and touch so many different prints. To get started on your Charm Quilt go through your own stash. If you are a real fabric-holic you may be able to make a Charm Quilt from your own stash.

After you look at your own scraps for a while, go and look at another quilter’s scraps. You will notice that some of hers would go well with yours. You suggest a swap. As a fabric lover never forgets where a fabric came from, a bit of history begins to creep into your project.

Charming and charmed, a quilt with no two pieces alike is fun to organize, and fairly simple to make. This is a great chance to use all kinds of pieces - have a go. Start collecting today to begin on your memories for tomorrow.

Pauline Rogers has travelled throughout Australia and New Zealand for over 20 years, teaching the art of patchwork and quilting. She operates an award winning shop, Country Fabrics and Quilters, in Toowoomba, Queensland as well as a successful mail order and online service. She founded Quiltfest, an annual quilting event and Margie’s Quilts of Hope, a quilting challenge which raises funds for breast cancer research. Visit her website at http://www.cfaq.com.au.

Okay, it’s not brain surgery, it doesn’t even sound that complicated, but if you follow these steps, you’ll have success when applying patina, and if you don’t, you’ll end up with very mixed results. Check out the photos that go with this article at http://www.betterstainedglass.com/Newsletter/Archives/2006Oct-cleanandpatina/cleanandpatina.htm

1. Patina is a chemical that changes the color of the outer layer of a metal. Sculptors apply it to statues to age them and copper roofs sometimes get patinas applied to them to hurry the aging process along.

The element that is common in all applications is that the metal needs to be clean for the chemical reaction to work well.

2. To get our window clean, we first apply a blue window cleaner to the window to get the major debris off of it. The flux we use in making windows is water soluble, so the blue cleaner does a good job cleaning it from the surface of the window. So squirt some on and then towel it off.

3. Next we need to clean the window even more thoroughly so that it will readily accept the patina. We apply kwik-clean brand cleaner. It chemically removes flux that might remain on the lead we want to patina. So we squirt some on and then towel it off, getting it nice and dry.

4. Now we can apply patina. The patina will dissolve the rag that is used to apply the chemical, so we use one which is very small and then toss it out when we get done. We don’t use paper towels in any of the steps because they disintegrate.

5. Here we are applying black patina. It’s important to pour a generous amount of the patina on the window. Flooding the area lets the patina react properly. If too little is used, the patina may try to turn copper instead of black.

6. Here we are applying copper patina to a panel. It needs to be applied generously or it will try to turn black. Avoid running any of the patina to the outside edges of the window if it has a zinc border. Zinc will react to the patina and turn black and then try to turn the rest of the lead black instead of copper.

7. Once the reaction has taken place we can clean the window again. We flood the window with water (or blue window cleaner) and then use kwik-clean to clean and neutralize the patina. It needs to be applied generously so that there is enough to get under and around all the places where patina might have gotten.

8. Finally, we apply wax to the window to seal the lead lines so that they won’t get corroded as easily. We use Clairity brand finishing compound. we pour a small amount on the window and rub it all over the surface.

9. We let the wax dry. And then rub it vigorously with clean dry rags. We rub and buff vigorously till the window glistens.

The only time we skip this step is when the art glass is insulated. In that case the wax prevents the binding butyl rubber from sticking to the art glass. We used black patina and the metal begins to shine and glisten and almost looks silver, but it really is black at the right angle.

So finally, we have the completed, backlit copper panels. They glisten from the waxing and the polishing. They really look like a piece of art.

David Gomm started building stained glass windows professionally back in 1983 and has become an expert at many aspects of stained glass building, design and repair. He writes a monthly newsletter at his http://www.betterstainedglass.com website. A gallery of his stained glass work can be viewed at http://www.gommstudios.com

Imagine this: you are in a quaint little shop somewhere in the mountains or at the beach, on vacation. You have been admiring a group of nice-looking wood figures on the shelf there, thinking about how nice one of them might look in your home. You know, right there in the living room near the fireplace, maybe even on the mantle!

Yes indeed, this could be the right wood carving for your home. It looks good, it’s of a figure that interests you, and it sure seems like a bargain. Is it an original woodcarving? Well, it MUST be, as this is the kind of art store that seems to sell neat-looking originals, right? Let’s look a bit closer, and learn about this woodcarving and the millions just like it all over the world.

Original vs. Reproduction Wood Carvings: The Age-Old Argument.

So this might be a reproduction, so what? Well, that is really a good point….if you don’t much care about the issue, then it probably will not be a big deal to you. However, if you DO care about the issue of Original vs. Reproductions, then to YOU it is essential to have an original piece of woodcarving whenever you have the ‘choice’.

After all, original wood carving, signed by the artist, is a joy and privilege to own. You know that it is a true one-of-a-kind. This is true even though the artist may have made other pieces in the same theme or style. You know that you will never see another one just like yours. You also know that, as an original, this piece was hand-made from start to finish. The artist took the time (often too much time) to add every detail, make every stroke personally, and perform each step in the creation process. There is not, and never will be an exact copy of your woodcarving.

On the other hand, we all know the limitations of reproductions. If you buy one for a special place in your home, you will never look at it the same way as you could an original woodcarving. You know there are hundreds elsewhere. You know that it was stamped out of a mill somewhere on a big machine. You also know that it is one in a million, not one of a kind.

A Bit Caustic?

Now all this rhetoric may seem a bit harsh to some, but it really is how I feel about art; wood carving in particular. I have seen lots of artists attempt to make the copies as ‘original’ as possible, by using tricks of the trade. Sometimes they will have originals copied, and then the artist will dab on touches of paint, thereby justifying the high prices he demands.

I’ve seen this in wood carving also. There is a process by which an original woodcarving is created over a long time; very ornate. A bronze cast of it is made, and then used to act as a template for creating hundreds of others, in wood, and then painted. Frankly they can be fabulous wood carvings!

Some sculpture is reproduced using a resin casting method. A cast is made from the original, and then hundreds are cast by pouring a wood-resin into the mold. It is a neat way to reproduced sculpture.

But, whenever I hold one of these reproductions, I know in my heart they are not original woodcarvings, they will always be copies. They do not hold the spirit of the artist, only the intention of the millwright that stamped them out.

That may be all right for many people. In fact, it has shown to be just fine for the mass populace of the planet. But for me, and maybe you, the original wood carving makes us feel the connection with the artist, and with what he was trying to convey at that moment.

Knowing The Difference

So, if you agree with me that an original, at a fair price is really worth having, I will tell you how to spot the differences between the two. Not only can this save you the embarrassment of having made a huge mistake in judgement, but also it can save you a lot of money!

Let’s go back to that shop in the mountains, or at the beach, for a moment to look at those wood carvings again. As you look at the pieces, let me whisper in your ear what to look for……..

Here are several nice woodcarving s on a variety of themes. A shelf full of them! Your eye dances over the line-up; there is an old man’s face; carved as a bust. Next to that is a small statue of a woman in a long robe. Then, there is carving of a Native American Indian. Finally, a very nice sculpture of a wolf and his prey. Each one of these wood carvings is painted in different ways, made of different woods, and even different sizes. Let’s begin with the first carving; the old mans face.

Now, a lot of this information is just plain common sense. Even as I write this, I wonder who is going to believe that ANYONE will not be able to tell the lowest level differences between original and reproduction….. but really there are lots and lots of folk that cannot tell the difference even on the most simple sculptures. Add to that the fact that factories make it their business to make copies as accurately as possible, and you can see that it isn’t shameful to be fooled anymore!

There now, having made my disclaimer, let’s discuss that first wood sculpture. In fact, let’s just talk about the ‘word’ sculpture as opposed to carving. What is the difference here? It can be as simple as price.

You know the old joke about the pronunciation of ‘vase’, right? If it is cheap, it’s a ‘vase’ if it expensive, it becomes a ‘vahhse’. That has always made me laugh. Well, it can be the same with wood sculpture. If it is cheap, it might be called a wood carving, if it is expensive, then it might be referred to as a wood sculpture. Sadly, there is a deal of truth to that. After all, art is strictly a perceptive thing. It’s all in how you like it.

Let’s look at the items in the shop today, and start placing judgement on them, making a list, to determine if they are originals or reproductions.

• Feel It
  Pick the wood carving up. How does it feel? Is it cool to the touch, or does it seem to have a warm quality? Is it heavy, or light? Does it feel smooth, or does it have jagged edges? Do you feel a ‘spray-paint’ finish, or is it smooth and slippery to the touch?
• Look At It Closely
  Think about what you are looking at. Wood grain should be visible somewhere on any original woodcarving, even if there is paint on the subject. Do you see evidence of a carving tool having been there? Do you see the tell-tale sign of a mold-seal along the sides of the item? If you see grain that is not painted, can you see ‘into’ the grain? This is almost a 3-D effect that real wood exhibits when viewed in a strong light. They haven’t figured out how to reproduce that yet!
• Signature, And More…..
  Does the piece bear a signature or mark of the artist? Some reproductions are so poor as to have neglected the all-important connection with the artist that created the piece. Does it have a “Made in China” sticker? Don’t laugh, some people don’t even look, and think they have an original. Is there a script that tells you the production number? Such as 30/1000. This means that this piece is the 30th piece that was created out of a production of 1000 pieces: not an original !
• Check The Attached Information Tag
  Look at the tag that is usually attached to an original sculpture. You should always examine these tags, and ask yourself, ”What is this tag trying to avoid saying to me?” Does the tag actually state that THIS piece is an original? Does the tag kind of waltz around that statement? Many dealers do not want to say a wood carving is a reproduction, as it will dramatically affect the price. People expect to pay less than 10% for a machine copy of a wood carving.
• Ask the Shop Owner
  Yes, ask the owner of the shop. A reputable shopkeeper will rarely lie about this, as it can surely come back to haunt him later. Keep in mind, if you are at a Flea Market, or a garage sale, your chances of getting the truth might be somewhat less!
• Internet Purchases?
  The Internet is a great source for finding wood carvings that you would never discover in your travels. When you shop online, use common shopping safety practices concerning credit cards info, and personal data. It’s not dangerous, just don’t do anything you would not normally do when buying something online other than a wood carving. Dealers of art and wood carvings are unlikely to attempt to take advantage of you online, as this is their livelihood also. Most will certainly offer you a return policy in writing. Paying with a credit card or even PayPal offers another layer of protection for you, in the event you do not like the woodcarving, you can easily return it. Once you get the wood carving to your home, you can then use all these tips to properly examine the piece.
• Do Your Research
  Above all, do your research! If you plan to spend $1,000.00 on anything, I am sure you will look into the subject deep enough to satisfy your curiosity. Conversely, most people can spend less than $50.00 on an obvious reproduction of a wood carving without having to spend days in research. There are too many resources available for you to say at the end of the day that you could not find any information on the topic. If you are like me, the Internet is the greatest resource of all, but even there, you must use your common sense!

So, there you are! Now that you have examined the pieces on the shelf, and you are satisfied that these are originals, only question that remains is, “Which one am I taking home?”

Chuck Hall is a wood carver / sculptor living in Fernandina Beach, Florida located on Amelia Island. He is the owner of Shady Oak Studio, and offers his wood carvings and wood sculptures via his website http://www.ShadyOakStudio.com, as well as art shows, and through select shops and galleries.

If you are considering taking on a domestic cleaner then there are things you should learn about them before you engage someone to come into your house to clean.

1. Have they cleaned for anyone else? Experience in some previous cleaning should mean there is less of a learning curve to meet your particular cleaning needs. It should also mean they are comfortable in doing this sort of work.

2. Do they have references? If they have done some cleaning previously then it should be possible to obtain a reference from a former or current satisfied customer. If they have worked previously and there are no references then this should put you on enquiry and perhaps move on to the next applicant. However, there will be people applying for work who have not worked recently, perhaps due to having a work break whilst raising children. They may proove suitable depending on the impression they give you of their eagerness to work.

3. Are they legally entitled to work? With so many overseas visitors and people here for many different reasons from countries from around the world you should not assume that someone applying for work, is legally entitled to work. You may need to see a passport, and if it is not issued by an E. U. member country, you should note any work permit or lack thereof, or ask to see a national insurance number. If you are not sure if someone is legally entitled to work, bare in mind that a fine of up to £5000 can be imposed for employing a person who does not have the right to work.

4. Will there be a language problem? How will you make known your needs if you cannot understand each other? Perhaps just as importantly you need to be able to say what should not be done and what cleaning products are not to be used, for example on surfaces you know to be delicate.

5. Can they work during the school holidays? If your cleaner has children they may only want to work during school term time. However, you may want your home cleaned every week!

6. Where do they live and how long have they lived there? If you are going to give someone the run of your house it is advisable to know your cleaner has a stable home life at a permanent address. Do you want someone who is constantly changing their address and who may disappear at any time?

7. Will they work when you want? Many people find that they have to tidy up or in some way prepare before the cleaner comes, or you may need to stay in, to let the cleaner in. You may not find it convenient to have the cleaner change “their” day at the last moment.

8. Will they do the work you want? You need to be sure that your domestic cleaner will do the cleaning duties you decide on. Some cleaners have fixed ideas about both how things will be done and what they are prepared to do. This might not coincide with your requirements, so discuss these at the outset.

9. Can you meet them for an interview? Some cleaners will assume they can turn up and start. Ideally you will arrange to see a cleaner for a chat before they come round and expect to work.. This will then enable you to cover the points above in an informal way.

10. Will they do a trial clean? Whilst you may have satisfied yourself as to the credentials and apparent willingness to work, the final proof will be in the quality of their work. What is acceptable to one person, may be shoddy to another. Arrange for the cleaner to do a clean so that you can both see if your expectations coincide.

If all this seems too much to be bothered with, then there are domestic cleaning companies who specialise in providing cleaners. They should have carried out all the checks and will also be able to provide an alternate or replacement cleaner when you require one.

James Das is the owner of a domestic cleaning business and has been since 1993. Visit www.jj-cleaning.co.uk for more great articles.